TEST RIG DEVELOPMENT GROUPVoice of the EngineerProject: R13301

Rochester Institute of Technology

Design Project Management (0303.735.01 & 0304.730.01 )

R13301 TEAMS & MEMBERS

EP Printing Team Jonathan Erbelding & Sakif Noor

Garlock Team Usman Asad & Jessica Fuss

Polymer Membrane Team Steven Lucchesi & Seaver Wrisley

EP PRINTINGJonathan Erbelding

Sakif Noor

GARLOCK TEST RIGUsman Asad

Jessica Fuss

POLYMER MEMBRANE TEST RIG (PMTR)Steven Lucchesi

Seaver Wrisley

PMTR MOTIVATION & BACKGROUND Mission Statement:

The Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Departments at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) have developed a need for a test device capable of measuring the mechanical properties of biologically relevant materials.

Principle Needs: The Biomaterials professors (Drs. Lamkin-Kennard and

Gaborski) need classroom equipment for student lab experiments.

Satisfied by Biomaterials Instructional Test Rig. Bill Spath needs a research quality test machine to test

Electroactive Polymers (EAPs) in in vivo conditions for his Ph.D. work. He needs to measure voltage output as a function of loading, and force output as a function of applied voltage.

Satisfied by ASSET Test Stand.

ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS

Biomaterials student test machine Single-axis loading Analog display Lower accuracy Manual control

ASSET Test Stand Multi-axis loading Fully automated interface (Matlab or LabView) Closed loop control of loading Higher accuracy Environmental control capabilities Aqueous environment capabilities

FUNCTIONAL DECOMPOSITION

FUNCTIONAL DECOMPOSITION

PMTR CURRENT TECHNOLOGY

Currently, there is no lab equipment available for educational use in the two Biomaterials courses. Typical tensile testers damage

biomaterials at the clamping points, rendering the test invalid

Previous/Current RIT Projects: Lowell Smoger’s Biaxial Test Rig P06218 Bausch & Lomb Eye

Membrane Indenter Bill Spath’s ASSET concept

 

 

Transverse Plunger

 

 

Axial Servo Driver

Environmental Tank

Figure 1: Automated Smart Sensing EAP Tank

Transverse Plunger Linkage Box

EAP

PMTR CURRENT TECHNOLOGY- ASSET (AUTOMATED SMART SENSING EAP TANK )

Preliminary design by Bill Spath Biaxial tension tester in horizontal direction for in-plane

loading Indenter for out-of-plane loading Capable of being

completely filled with aqueous solution

Interior made from biologically inert materials

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS- COMPONENT OPTIONS

Functions

Input load/deflection Computer program Knob controlling motor speedUser physically generates load 

(drill press style handle)Hang a weight

Generate and apply load/displacement

Hydraulic pistonDirect drive electric motor & ball screw (would require reaction to torsion)

Electric motor or drill press handle to rack & pinion

Cable going to a suspended weight

Position measurement options

Position sensor Micrometer stages Calipers Ruler

Load measurement options Load cell Measure the weight

Environmental conditions, voltage across specimen

Sensors to measure, computer controls heater, humidifier, power supply

Manually adjust voltage, heater knobs based on thermometers or other 

measurements

Provide power for system components

DC for sensors and AC for motors

DC for everythingDC for sensors, human power 

to actuateNo electricity at all

Secure specimenTraditional clamp, possibly with rubberized or knurled 

gripsMold the specimen into the grips

Rubber band shaped specimen over parallel rods

Structural materials Durable plastics (such as ABS) Metals

ASSET tank materials Lexan Polycarbonate Acrylic

ASSET tank sealing Gaskets Silicone sealant

Generally decreasing complexity →

PROPOSED SENIOR DESIGN PROJECTS

Biomaterials Instructional Test Rig Design & Build Will design and build classroom test machines for the lab component

of the Biomaterials courses. Staffing: 3-5 MEs Budget Estimate: $300 per Machine

ASSET - Biaxial Tension Tester Redesign & Build Will redesign Lowell Smoger’s machine to have a variable x:y loading

ratio (his can only apply a 1:1 ratio). Will serve as a base for the other projects to integrate into. Staffing: 3 MEs, 2 EEs Budget Estimate: $2,125 (ASSET total ~ $6,500)

ASSET - Indentation Tester Design & Build Will produce an indentation tester that will integrate into mounting

provided by Biaxial Tension Tester team. ASSET - Environmental Chamber Design & Build

Will design and build the tank itself, with environmental controls. Will be responsible for building a Matlab or LabView control program.

TO BE DETERMINED BY MSD COMMITTEE How many of the 12 Biomaterials

Instructional Test Rigs will be built by their senior design team. Could build one machine per design iteration.

Start dates for the 2nd and 3rd ASSET projects Biaxial Tension Tester Redesign & Build Indentation Tester Design & Build Environmental Chamber Design & Build

AUDIENCE FEEDBACK Remaining questions? MSD student surveys are sent out during the

summer. If anyone is interested in working on either of the

projects being started next Fall, enter it there.